NatWest Group’s Post

🌱 🌱 Boost Conservation Impact with Community Engagement 🌱 🌱 A lack of community ownership can be a major barrier to the success of conservation projects. That's where participatory planning approaches like Healthy Country Planning come in. By engaging local communities from the start, Healthy Country Planning — adapted from the Conservation Standards — offers a powerful framework to link non-Indigenous conservation programs with community priorities. This collaborative approach expands a project’s impact and fosters long-lasting success. Curious about how this could work for your conservation projects? Visit our page. #healthycountryplanning #conservationstandards #communityengagement #indigenous #conservation https://lnkd.in/gpPZ5PeX

Nature’s ability to heal us amidst the trials and tribulations that we face along our paths knows no bounds. Lockdowns saw people return to our reserves in droves because it was there that people found quiet in chaos, peace in turmoil and there they could simply walk with friends and be. It was our place of connection. But with the crowds comes impact, and not always because people are thoughtless or careless with things like rubbish or pollution of our creeks but sometimes simply that with connection comes adventure, the emergence of fairy homes in trees, treasures left behind, previously untouched areas trampled without the awareness of the microcosmos beneath our feet. With adventure and a broader connection to nature comes impact and disturbance, and just as we often need a helping hand from nature to be resilient humans in troubled times, nature sometimes needs her local "friends" to help with her resilience, too. Some of my favourite environmental groups to volunteer with are Landcare & Coastcare groups (Australia-wide), Friends groups (Vic), and Bushcare groups (NSW) Google search or click the links below to point you in the right direction to connect with community initiatives and get involved in supporting nature 🫶🌳 https://lnkd.in/gmXuQAK https://lnkd.in/gyF7TFDy https://lnkd.in/g_mgvmBv #naturelovers #Environment #SaveThePlanet #Sustainability #EcoFriendly #ZeroWaste #CommunityGroup #Landcare #Friendsgroups #Bushcare

🌳 2,500 Volunteers Help Cardiff's Urban Forest Grow🌳 We've just experienced one of the wettest winters on record, but that hasn't deterred 2500 volunteers supporting our Coed Caerdydd project, planting an incredible 30,000 trees in just six months. Established in 2021 as part of Cardiff Council's One Planet Cardiff response to the climate emergency, the Coed Caerdydd project has gone from strength to strength resulting in the planting of 80,000 new trees across 280 different sites in Cardiff. From parks and open spaces to schools and community sites, the impact of this initiative is evident across the city. This season, our focus on street trees has intensified, with over 200 large new street trees planted in areas with low or no tree canopy cover. The benefits of this project extend far beyond environmental considerations; it fosters a sense of community engagement and empowerment. The dedication of our volunteers is commendable. Over 10,000 hours have been volunteered since the project's inception, showcasing the power of collective action in addressing environmental challenges. But our work doesn't stop with tree planting; there are plenty of opportunities to get involved throughout the year. Whether it's assisting in the tree nursery or becoming a Tree Guardian to ensure the newly planted trees thrive, there's a role for everyone in this initiative. If you're interested in joining us or have suggestions for new planting sites, reach out to us at coedcaerdyddproject@cardiff.gov.uk. #CoedCaerdydd #UrbanForest #CommunityEngagement #ClimateAction

Throughout my career working with Indigenous People in consevation, I’ve often witnessed a recurring issue: Indigenous communities are sometimes the last to be consulted in decision-making processes. Rather than being fully engaged from the start, they are too often presented with plans that have already been developed. It's time for a shift toward genuine, participatory approaches like Healthy Country Planning here in Australia, which put community voices and aspirations at the forefront - ensuring long-lasting conservation impact. #Conservation #Indigenous #HealthyCountryPlanning #CommunityEngagement #30x30

It’s National Volunteer week and y’all know I love to volunteer so I thought I’d share some ideas in case you were pondering it but weren’t quite sure where to start. If anything piques your interest just give it a go! You never know, you might love it 🪴 conservation The Department for Conservation not only posts DoC volly opportunities, they also provide info about other conservation volunteer groups: https://lnkd.in/gUVKn9VS 🐈⬛ animals The SPCA regularly posts volunteer positions around Aotearoa on their website: https://lnkd.in/gHYE7SE8 🙋♀️ people Find a local soup kitchen, food bank, shelter, or City Mission. Alternatively, consider mentoring with Big Brothers Big Sisters or Pillars 🧗 sport Even a little knowledge about a sport can go a long way. Are there any local teams looking for volunteers? How about helping at your local Park Run? 👩💻 governance Can you commit to sitting on the board of a not-for-profit? 🧑🎓 learning Connect with the clubs at your local uni and explore doing some mentoring with them. 💃 festivals Sign up to volunteer at a festival. You can normally choose to help with set up, during the event, or with the pack down There are lots of opportunities out there so I challenge you to find something that resonates and give it a bash! Volunteers are the backbone of Aotearoa and it’s a lot of fun to get involved so if you can (which I appreciate is a bit of a privilege) I highly recommend you do

🌿 Our Sloth Family is Growing! 🌿 We’re thrilled to welcome a few new members to our Sloth family! 🦥💚 At Sloth MD, building a company with purpose has always been our priority. With the environmental challenges the world faces today, sloths—like many species—are feeling the impact. Deforestation is destroying their natural habitats, making it harder for them to thrive. That’s why we’re not just raising awareness; we’re committed to making a real difference. Every year, Sloth MD adopts sloths to help protect and preserve their future. You can be a part of this effort too! By choosing Sloth MD products, you’re directly contributing to the conservation of these incredible creatures. Remember: small actions can create big changes. Together, we can help sloths survive and thrive! 🌍💫 #SlothMD #Conservation #AdoptASloth #ProtectWildlife #SmallActionsBigImpact #SustainableLiving

In their article in today's Guardian (Trigger-happy councils mowing down our spring flowers? There’s a better way to do things.) Phineas Harper writes that "Systemic problems need systemic solutions. As a campaign to persuade individual homeowners to change how they garden, No Mow May is a charming but inherently limited initiative. However, as a tool to persuade not just individuals but public authorities to rethink their out-of-date intensive mowing and poison-spraying regimes, it can make a real impact on nature recovery in the UK." My local council (Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead) have just introduced an initiative to encourage community stewardship of verges. My application is already in to take responsibility for the patch outside my house. 😀 It isn't a systemic solution but it's certainly a good start in returning agency to local residents. https://lnkd.in/e8_8CWPh #biodiversity #NoMowMay Simon Werner

We take our role as stewards of this planet seriously. From selecting materials with minimal carbon footprints to incorporating biophilic designs that maximize natural daylight, we ensure our buildings are both environmentally friendly and beautiful. Below are six ways you can help conserve: ➡️ Plant trees in your community. ➡️ Participate in a neighborhood cleanup. ➡️ Share information to educate others about the importance of conservation. ➡️ Donate to reputable organizations that protect wildlife, forests, and other critical habitats. ➡️ Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. ➡️ Be mindful of your water usage. #UrbanVillages

Whiskey and Carbon Sequestration. Over the weekend, I tried Noble Oak’s Double Oak Bourbon. This is not a whiskey review however. While it is a good “bang for the buck”, the reason for this post is about Noble Oak’s mission. For every bottle purchased, they will work with their partners over at One Tree Planted to do just that - plant a tree. Trees are a natural resource that provide us with material to meet a plethora of needs in our lives. Oak trees though - you’ve got to love them. Oaks are a symbol of strength, they provide food for wildlife, and are widely used for barrels in the aging of wine and whiskey. They also join other tree species to serve us with a God given means to sequester carbon. The U.S. Forest Service has reported that our forests sequester over 800 million tons of carbon each year (~16% of all carbon emissions). So, if you’re up for something new and interested in helping Noble Oak with its tree planting mission, pick a bottle up. And of course, enjoy responsibly. #whiskey #environment #sustainability

How can we make #mangrove #policies realize their potential and actually work for communites in the Southwestern Indian Ocean? A new policy brief digs into this very question 🌱 ⬇️